Most questions are worth 1 point, but the last question for each passage is worth more than 1 point. The directions for the last question indicate how many points you may receive. You will now begin the Reading section. There are three passages in the section. You should allow 20 minutes to read each passage and answer the questions about it. You should allow 60 minutes to complete the entire section.

P1: Crows are probably the most frequently met and easily identifiable members of the native fauna of the United States. The great number of tales, legends, and myths about these birds indicates that people have been exceptionally interested in them for a long time. On the other hand, when it comes to substantive — particularly behavioral –information, crows are less well known than many comparably common species and, for that matter, not a few quite uncommon ones: the endangered California condor, to cite one obvious example. There are practical reasons for this.

P2: Crows are notoriously poor and aggravating subjects for field research. Keen observers and quick learners, they are astute about the intentions of other creatures, including researchers, and adept at avoiding them. Because they are so numerous, active, and monochromatic, it is difficult to distinguish one crow from another. Bands, radio transmitters, or other identifying devices can be attached to them, but this of course requires catching live crows, who are among the wariest and most untrappable of birds.

P3: Technical difficulties aside, crow research is daunting because the ways of these birds are so complex and various. As preeminent is generalists, members of this species ingeniously exploit a great range of habitats and resources, and they can quickly adjust to changes in their circumstances. Being so educable, individual birds have markedly different interests and inclinations, strategies and scams. For example, one pet crow learned how to let a dog out of its kennel by pulling the pin on the door. When the dog escaped, the bird went into the kennel and ate its food.

1.What is the main topic of the passage?

(A) The ways in which crows differ from other common birds

(B) The myths and legends about crows

(C) The characteristics that make crows difficult to study

(D) The existing methods for investigating crow behavior

2. According to the first paragraph, what evidence is there that crows have interested people for a long time?

(A) The large number of stories about crows.

(B) The frequency with which crows are sighted

(C) The amount of research that has been conducted on crows

(D) The ease with which crows are identified

3. The word “comparably” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to

(A) interestingly (B) similar (C) otherwise (D) sometimes

4. In line 6, the author mention the endangered California condor as an example of a species that is

(A) smaller than the crow (B) easily identifiable

(C) featured in legends (D) very rare

5. The word “them” in line 10 refers to

(A) crows (B) subjects (C) intentions (D) researchers

6. According to the second paragraph, crows are poor subjects for field research for all of the following reasons EXCEPT

(A) They can successfully avoid observers. B) They are hard to distinguish from one another

(C) They can be quite aggressive. D) They are difficult to catch.

7. In the second paragraph, the author implies that using radio transmitters would allow a researcher who studies crow to

(A) identify individual crows

(B) follow flocks of crows over long distances

(C) record the times when crows are most active

(D) help crows that become sick or injured

8. According to the third paragraph, which of the following is true about crows?

(A) They seldom live in any one place for very long.

(B) They thrive in a wide variety of environments.

(C) They have marked preferences for certain kinds of foods.

(D) They use up the resources in one area before moving to another

9. In paragraph 3,the word “inclinations” is closest in meaning to

(A) tricks (B) opportunities (C) preferences (D) experiences

10. In paragraph 3, the author mentions a pet crow to illustrate which of the following?

(A) The clever ways that crows solve problems

(B) The differences between pet crows and wild crows

(C) The ease with which crows can be tamed

(D) The affection that crows show to other creatures

11. Which of the following statements is supported by the passage?

(A) Crows have relatively long lives. (B) Crows have keen vision

(C) Crows are usually solitary (D) Crows are very intelligent.

TOEFL IBT Reading Practice Test 56 from The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test

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